THE BOBCAT EXPERIENCE

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An Integrated Curriculum

At TXSTMT, we believe exceptional training happens when everything is connected. That’s why our program is fully housed within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film—meaning all voice, dance, acting, and performance classes are taught by dedicated faculty who understand the unique demands of musical theatre and work together to support your artistic growth.

Every class is designed to complement and build upon the others, creating a unified training experience that mirrors the interdisciplinary nature of the professional world. Our eight full-time faculty members work in close partnership with one another and with you. With only 50–56 students in the program, we maintain a low student-to-faculty ratio that allows for deep mentorship, meaningful feedback, and truly individualized guidance throughout your four years. TXSTMT offers the best of both worlds: a conservatory-style experience with the resources, flexibility, and expansive thinking of a major university.

MT student in a dance class

TUITION FREE EXPERIENCE

“One of the best college deals can be found at Texas State University” - Huffington Post

TXST Musical Theatre is pleased to announce the launch of the “Last-Dollar” scholarship initiative, designed to eliminate financial barriers for incoming musical theatre students. The scholarship will cover any outstanding tuition costs following the application of federal and state financial aid, creating a tuition-free experience for first time freshmen students.

"Business of the Business” Labs

In their junior and senior years, TXSTMT students participate in a series of Business Labs designed to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed for a sustainable and successful career in the entertainment industry. These labs focus on the most current, real-world practices across theatre, film, and television. These labs are led by industry professionals, faculty, and guest experts, giving students practical insights and personalized guidance as they prepare to launch their careers.

Labs Include:

  • Understanding Contracts (Theatre, Film, TV)
  • A Full Understanding of Agent and Manager Relationships
  • Mock Interviews with Agents and Managers
  • Financial Planning, Taxes, and Budgeting for Artists
  • Self-Branding and Professional Expectations
  • Interview Skills (On-Camera & Print), Resumes, and Cover Letters
  • Navigating the Unions (AEA, SAG-AFTRA, etc.)
  • Post-Graduation Career Transition Strategies
  • And more
2025 Seniors

Wellness Curriculum for Performing Artists

At Texas State, we don’t just train exceptional performers—we develop healthy, resilient artists. Wellness isn’t an add-on to our curriculum; it’s an integral part of how we teach, rehearse, and perform.

Alongside rigorous performance training, students engage in holistic self-care education covering vocal health, physical wellness, and mental well-being. A cornerstone of this approach is our Living Mental Wellness program—an evidence-based life skills curriculum created specifically for performing artists by TXSTMT founder Kaitlin Hopkins, sports psychologist Dr. Hilary Cauthen, and communications expert Dr. Marian Hauser.

This innovative program equips students with lifelong tools rooted in brain science, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. Topics include meditation, goal setting, time management, coping strategies, leadership, and communication—skills essential for navigating both the industry and life beyond the stage.

By weaving wellness into the fabric of our program, we help students build sustainable careers and balanced lives—so they can thrive as both artists and individuals.

Be well first. Be an artist second.

Being a professional means developing skills to do what you love in a healthy, sustainable, repeatable way.

-Kaitlin Hopkins

The Sophomore Project: Finding Voice Through Collaboration

Each spring, our sophomore musical theatre students embark on a powerful, collaborative journey: creating an original devised piece that explores who they are—both as artists and as people. This process invites students to investigate their individual voices, values, and perspectives, and to explore how those identities shape the stories they tell. 

Rooted in ensemble-based creation, the Sophomore Project fosters leadership, authorship, and deep creative collaboration. It’s more than a performance—it's a shared experience that empowers students to take ownership of their artistry and contribute meaningfully to the collective vision. 

This project reflects the heart of our mission: a student-centered program driven by innovation, excellence, and purpose. Through it, our students discover how to use their work to make a positive impact—on stage, in their communities, and in the world. 

sophmore project

Musical Development

From initial table reads to fully staged developmental labs, the TXSTMT program continues its mission to innovate, develop, and produce new musicals in collaboration with award-winning industry professionals and our exceptionally talented students.

Masterclasses with Professionals

In addition to the class curriculum, students have the opportunity to further their knowledge and expand their professional networks through masterclasses and workshops led by top industry professionals. These experiences provide valuable insight into current industry practices, foster meaningful connections with working artists, and offer mentorship that can help guide students’ career paths. 

Jacob Burns MasterClass

A Culture Dedicated to Community

sophomore class 2025

At TXSTMT, community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the heart of who we are. We believe that meaningful artistry grows from strong relationships. Our program is rooted in a vibrant, community—one where current students, alumni, faculty, and families come together to support, uplift, and inspire one another. 

From day one, students are welcomed into this culture through our Bigs & Littles mentoring tradition, where two upperclassmen (“Bigs”) help guide a first-year student (“Little”) through the transition into college life—academically, artistically, and personally. These connections often evolve into lasting bonds that extend well beyond graduation. 

Our alumni remain deeply engaged in the life of the program, offering mentorship, guidance, and professional opportunities to current students as they step into the industry. Even our Bobcat families are active contributors, reinforcing our commitment to care, connection, and creating a network of support that goes well beyond the classroom or the stage. 

We lead with kindness, curiosity, and respect—because we believe that the best art comes from people who feel seen, supported, and safe to take risks. Together, we create classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and creative processes that are not only rigorous and innovative, but also rooted in trust, shared responsibility, and mutual respect. TXSTMT is more than a training program. It’s a place to grow, to connect, and to belong. 

Individual Tracks

Texas State offers individualized tracks for musical theater majors, who in addition to their performance degree want to focus on other professional skills. These tracks are not a four-year commitment, and can be explored at anytime during your collegiate career.

Music

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  • TXSTMT’s Composer Track provides opportunities for talented musicians and composers/songwriters to further explore their craft. Students on this track have the opportunity to work one-on-one with top industry composers as part of our guest artist/new musical development workshops. In addition, student composers have the chance to hear their works performed by their peers in workshop, reading or concert settings and even full productions. There is also a student led Singer-Songwriter Club that has a program sponsored showcase presentation of their work.

  • Students in the program interested in music direction work closely with the program’s Music Direction faculty, including mentorships with award-winning faculty music directors, the opportunity to act as Assistant Music Director on main stage productions, and even act as lead music directors for student-composed or directed productions. 

Dance

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  • The Choreography Track allows students to be mentored by faculty choreographers and build skills necessary to work as an assistant or choreographer in the profession. The track is tailored to the individual, but can include: 

    • Developed curriculum on choreographing for musical theatre that covers every step of the production process
    • Dance Captain and/or Swing for a production
    • Assistant Choreographer for a production including choreographing at least one entire number
    • Associate Choreographer for a production, participating in every aspect of the choreography process including casting, pre-production work, design meetings, choreographing 1-2 numbers, and assisting in tech rehearsals.
    • Choreographer/Co-Choreographer for an entire production
    • Leadership in dance projects for the program including the Choreography Group Showcase
    • Connections to current industry choreographers 

    The Choreography Group Showcase is open to all musical theatre majors. Students have a chance to explore their creative voice by choreographing dance pieces using other students while receiving faculty mentorship. These entirely student-choreographed, student-danced numbers are then presented in an annual showcase. 

     

Production

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  • Students in the Directing track receive mentorship from faculty and visiting professionals, gaining invaluable experience, foundational development, leadership skills and networking opportunities that support a successful transition into the industry. 

    The Directing Track includes opportunities such as: 

    • Assisting or observing on season productions 
    • Collaborating with faculty and guest directors 
    • Working on new musical workshops with industry professionals
    • Directing facilitated student-led projects and performances such as the Cabaret “Broadway Our Way” and the Black History Month Tribute “Young, Gifted, and Black” 

    In addition, the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film supports a fully student-run theatre company, where students may pitch their own projects to direct and as part of the official Jeremy Torres Lab Theatre season. This unique opportunity allows students to take full creative and administrative ownership of a production from concept to curtain. 

  • In the Producing Track, you’ll help make theatre happen. Guided by our Musical Theatre faculty, you’ll collaborate with students from every track to bring performances and events to life from the ground up. Along the way, you’ll dive into the real-world skills producers need—marketing, administration, scheduling, and shaping the artistic vision of a show. This hands-on experience gives you the tools, confidence, and creative voice to lead projects that inspire audiences and support the work of your peers. 

*These opportunities are in “addition to” the curriculum, not “instead” of.